CRAIG - Anglers crowded the Missouri River on Saturday and Sunday, hoping to lure a fish to the surface on the first official weekend of summer.

The sun reached its northernmost point Friday evening, an event known as the summer solstice. It was the longest day of the year and it gave way to a pleasant weekend with temperatures reaching 91 degrees.

As if drawn to the water by the position of the sun, anglers let loose with artistic casts and lost themselves on the river's lax current.

Some found the deep shade of cottonwood trees, testing their luck from shore. Others drifted in a massive, colorful flotilla that stretched from Holter Lake to Cascade.

Eric Mondragon, a river guide in Craig with Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service, took two women from Southern California down the mighty Mo over the weekend.

The trio launched their drift boat near the Holter Lake dam and surrendered themselves to the lazy current. Just before 4 p.m., after landing several browns and rainbows, they stopped for a break in Craig before heading downriver to Stickney Creek to complete their journey.

"It was pretty good today," Mondragon said. "The water is still pretty high, so it's pushing pretty hard. But the fishing is good."

Water flows posted daily by the United State's Geological Survey showed the Missouri River flowing at 9,760 cubic feet per second Sunday. Two weeks ago it was flowing at 14,900 cfs.

Area guide shops celebrated the Missouri's drop below 10,000 cfs with exclamation points across their Web sites.

Anglers are having their best luck with stonefly nymphs, though some seasoned fishermen are eager for the caddis season to begin, which should, they said, be very soon.

Dianne Graves and Joanne Hutchinson climbed from Mondragon's drift boat dressed in waders and wide-brimmed hats. From San Diego, the vacationers came a long way to indulge in the summer fishing rite and to bask in Montana's sweeping scenery, which flashes green from the river's edge high into the hills.

"This is the first for me," said Graves. "It's awesome."

"We're having a fabulous time," added Hutchinson, who tried her luck on the Dearborn River as well. "It was two different excursions. The Dearborn is so picturesque."

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com